Confident James Cameron wants to prevent town rivals Walton Casuals from completing a season’s double over his Swans outfit in Boxing Day’s high noon clash at Waterside Drive.

Cameron ran the Stags’ reserve side before stepping up to the first team management team during Mick Sullivan’s ill-fated reign last term.

Now, having switched to Walton & Hersham, he is tasked with attempting to regain the derby bragging rights after Mark Hams’s side triumphed 2-0 at Stompond Lane in August.

“I’m looking forward to it and it’s a game we can win,” he ventured “We go into the game with plenty of confidence and we are starting to gel as a side even though the last couple of results haven’t gone our way.

“The Walton derby is always a feisty affair and I think it could be a very entertaining game with both teams trying to play football.

“Both clubs have propelled themselves right up there, in contrast with last season, them into a play-off position and we are higher up too.

“I’m starting to get my own team together and firmly believe we can go there with nothing to fear.

“I’ll have fond memories going back. There there are some decent people and while it won’t be emotional, it will be nice and I’ll enjoy it.”

While the rivalry between the two clubs remains intense, Cameron insisted: “It’s obviously an important game for our fans and we want to win.

“But I get on well with Mark Hams and we speak regularly. Whatever happens on the day, I will be the first to shake his hand.”

“Those three were at Casuals last year when the team finished bottom and they have the bad memories of that. so hopefully they will relish going back there,” he added.

As for Casuals’ boss Hams, he is desperate to banish thoughts of the 6-0 caning at home to Herne Bay on Tuesday and is looking forward to the derby.

“I don’t ever want to go through what I went through on Tuesday – there’s bad days at the office but that was something else, he reflected.

“About half a dozen in the team have apologised to the directors and I hope we can bounce back at Faversham where a point would be a good result for us.

“As for the derby, I’m excited. I live in the area, have friends and family in the area and it will be a great occasion.

“James is a good lad and I texted him before he got the job at Walton & Hersham to wish him the best and we keep in touch. We’re good friends and he will want to do well going back to his old club.”

Hams relishes the challenge that the festive period brings and is not concerned with the 12pm kick-off: “I love festive football and love Christmas generally, in fact my theory is that Jesus was born for football,” he added: “The midday kick-off is fine. A few of the lads are even quite excited that they can get home to their families in the afternoon and watch a bit of football on the telly.

“The only problem I’ve got is getting them there on time as they are always late. I might just have to tell them it’s a 10 o’clock kick-off.”